Disclaimer: I don't own the character's recognizable to JE.

Enjoy!

I got in my car and drove back to my apartment. I let myself in and saw that it was about four forty-five. I went into my bedroom and picked out a dress to wear tonight. It was sleek, tight, and black. It was my little black dress. I got in the shower and did my thing. When I was done I put on my make-up and the dress. I slid my feet into the shoes when I saw Ranger sitting in the corner of my room. My hand flew to my heart.

"Holy crap! Ranger you scared me," I said. He did his almost smile.

"Chase taking you somewhere fancy?" he asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, he is," I told him as I grabbed my pretty little clutch purse.

"I'm going out later, I got a tip off that someone in on the undercover operation is talking to someone. Could be our mole," Ranger told me.

"Let's hope you get him fast," I said. I wanted everything to go back to normal.

"I plan on it," Ranger said, "you should only dress like this for me." He pulled me to him and gave me a passionate kiss. I moaned as his hand slid lower. Then a sharp knock sounded from the door. Ranger's eyes were even dark then before.

"See you when you get home," Ranger said with a smirk as I ran to get the door.

"Hey there darlin', don't you look pretty," Chase said with his smile.

"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself," I chuckled, closing the door and locking it behind me. The ride to the restaurant wasn't bad. He held my hand and I kind of felt bad for having Ranger in my apartment. After all, I was kissing Ranger and he was sleeping in my bed, then when I was with Chase we kissed. As we walked into the restaurant all my thoughts of Ranger went away. The restaurant was gorgeous and we were seated right away. The greeter and our waitress were all pleasant.

"Can I get you an appetizer?" she asked us, although her eyes were on Chase. He looked at the menu and then at me.

"Well, I would like to try the Scallop Risotto. Steph, do you want anything or do you want to share with me?" Chase asked, being a complete gentleman, something I wasn't used to. I never went out on dates with Joe, and well, Ranger and I only shared secret kisses and touches.

"I'll just share with you," I said with a smile. He grinned back. He also asked for some fancy wine, but I wasn't really sure what because I don't really drink wine. Beer is more my style.

"So, Chase, tell me about yourself," I suggested, while I mulled over the menu. He cleared his throat.

"Well, I was born and raised in Georgia, and I joined the Marines. My father was in the Marines and his father before that, so it was just tradition that I join. My mom stayed at home. I went to college in Georgia and I have two sisters," he told me, giving up the information easily. I wonder if Ranger would tell me any of that.

"What about you?" he asked as the waitress came back and filled our glasses with some red wine. He took a sip as I began to tell him.

"I was born and raised in Jersey, the 'burg actually. I have one sister and she has three girls. She recently got remarried," I told him.

"I asked you to tell me about you, not your sister," Chase said softly, putting a hand on mine. I was surprised at how interested and nice he sounded. I blushed.

"Oh, well, I thought I was. What do you want to know?" I asked, taking a sip. It was actually really nice wine.

"Where did you go to school? How did you get to be a bounty hunter? Why do you work at RangeMan?" he suggested.

"I went to school at Rutger's. I was married for about five seconds. I became a bounty hunter because I got laid off as a lingerer buyer for E.E. Martin. I actually black mailed my cousin for the job. I was really lucky at it, but I have this thing for blowing up cars. That's why I'm called Bombshell the bounty hunter. Ranger," I said, my voice cracking, "he taught me the ropes and helped me when I needed it. And that's why I work at RangeMan." I took another sip, my mouth dry from telling him so much.

"I'm glad I know you Stephanie Plum," he said with a warm smile.

"What about more about yourself?" I asked.

"Like I said, I joined the Marines. I've been with them for twelve years and my contract with them is up. When they offered for me to sign back up I declined. One of my sisters live here so I came up here and I found out about the security company. I decided that's what I wanted to do," he told me.

"I'm glad I know you Chase White," I said as the waitress came back for our orders.

"Do you all know what you want to eat?" she asked with a pleasant smile. We both nodded. I had decided on Chestnut Soup.

"I'll have Mulles Frites," he told her, handing up his menu.

"And I'll have the Chestnut Soup," I said, handing her my menu. She nodded as she tucked the menus under her arm.

"It'll be out in a little," she said before she walked away, leaving Chase and I to talk some more.

"So, do you like the company so far?" I asked him. He smiled.

"Darlin', it's one of the best choices I made. There's great benefits, great guys, and you," he told me, his country accent really twanging as he spoke. I blushed.

"Glad you like it so much," I said with a smile. We chatted some more before our dinner came out. Mine was good, and Chase told me his was as well. When we finished, he payed, and he grabbed my hand as we walked out. He drove me to my apartment and walked me up.

"Thank you for dinner and a great time," I told him as I opened my door. I stood in the door way.

"Thank you for great company," he said before leaning in and giving me a kiss. I moaned as the kiss deepened. He pulled away too soon, but if he hadn't, I wouldn't have pulled away.

"See you tomorrow," he said, this time opting for just a peck.

"Bye Chase," I told him, breathless. I shut the door behind him.

"I take it the date went well?" Ranger asked from the couch. I saw he was holding something in his hands.

"Yeah. I take it you found our mole?" I said coming over to him. I saw he had his blank face on, it must be something he doesn't like.

"Maybe. Steph, I think you should go get into something more comfortable before you see these. And maybe eat a piece of cake," Ranger said, totally serious. Shit, it must really be bad. Ranger never tells me to eat unhealthy stuff. Never! I nodded. I got in to my jammies, and then got a piece of cake and sat cross-legged on the couch next to Ranger. I took a bite and nodded at Ranger.

"Alright Steph, I took these pictures of one of the men who the undercover agent, Tony, is tracking. Tony's from our Miami office," Ranger told me, showing me the first picture, "in it is the boss's second in command, Evan, and the other person might possibly be our mole." He showed me the picture and the person in it shocked me. My plate and fork fell out of my hands as I grabbed the picture to look at it better. No. I shook my head.

"No, no, no, no," I said, staring at the familiar face. Tears swam in my eyes as I looked at my friend talking with Evan, the boss's second in command. This couldn't be possible. It shouldn't be possible. What the hell was he doing there?

"Ranger, this can't be right. He would never do this," I whispered, handing the picture back, "never."

"I don't want to believe it either, but I saw it with my own eyes. Hell, I even took the picture myself," Ranger said. I looked up at him, tears swimming in my eyes.

"I know him. He wouldn't do this. There has to be some mistake. Maybe this is about something else," I told him. I knew in my gut, it couldn't have been him.

"Look at the evidence babe," Ranger pleaded, "I wouldn't want to convict him either, but he's talking to Evan."

"Yeah, well this evidence is wrong!" I told him, "he wouldn't do this, no scratch that he couldn't do it, Ranger. You know him."

"Babe, I know you too. I never thought you could lie that good," Ranger said, "imagine what he could do."

"Ranger! It's called acting. I was in drama in high school. I learned this stuff," I told him, "he definitely wasn't a drama guy." Ranger raised an eyebrow.

"And how would you know?" Ranger challenged.

"My spidey-sense told me," I told him, narrowing my eyes, "my spidey-sense also told me I could trust him."

"Yeah, well mine did too. Now look where we are. One dead RangeMan and another on the chopping block. Babe, be reasonable," Ranger said.

"I can't believe it was him, Ranger, I can't. He's my friend, and he was hurt just as much by this," I whispered softly, "he wouldn't betray one of us. He would have died for Roy."

"We don't know that babe. We think we know a person, but we never really do. We think we know them, but how do we know?" Ranger asked, seeming to be looking for an answer himself.

"We have faith. I have faith and know in my gut it wasn't him!" I said, standing up, the cake spilling off me and onto the couch.

"Goddammit Stephanie! Your spidey-sense isn't always right!" he said, the angriest I've ever seen him, he threw the pictures on the coffee table, "the evidence is there, look it over." With that he walked out the front door. When Ranger was gone out the door I fell to the couch, tears spilling over. I had never seen Ranger that angry. Never, and never directed at me. I never wanted to see him that angry. I grabbed the pictures, looking them over. He was right the evidence was there, but I didn't think he could do it. I looked over the glossy photos. First, there was one where they were meeting and you could only see the backs of their heads. The next one was a close up of their faces and you could see them clearly. There was more, some were of them just talking. The last one they were shaking hands. Sobs racked my body. It couldn't be true, it just couldn't. The phone rang and I dropped the photos to answer it. I got up and answered it.

"Hello?" I hiccuped, trying to get over my tears.

"Steph?" Chase's voice asked. I wondered why he was calling.

"Yeah?" I asked, my voice sounding hoarse.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern laced in his voice.

"Would you believe me if I said yes?" I asked, grabbing a tissue to wipe my nose.

"No. I know it's hard to get over death. I can come over and stay with you if you'd like," Chase offered kindly. He thought I was sad about Ranger's 'death', but I was sad and a little angry at Ranger. I guess that could count, right?

"Please," I said, "I would like that a lot. Thanks Chase."

"No problem. See you in a few darlin', bye," he replied.

"Bye," I said and then I heard the dial tone. Finally, someone with phone manners. I quickly went over to the photos and hid them. I was picking the cake up off the couch when he knocked at the door. I checked the peep-hole to make sure before I opened it. When he came through the door he gave me a giant hug.

"Thanks, I needed that," I told him, with a slight smile.

"My pleasure," he said, "you look kind of tired."

"I am, but I need to clean up some cake," I told him.

"Why don't you go get in bed and I'll clean up the cake," he offered, "the bedroom's over here, right?" He walked towards the back of the apartment. I nodded as he lead me. He pulled back the covers on the bed and helped me in.

A/N: What'd you think? A little angsty, I know. Next chapter won't be. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep the mole's name out of this chapter. I did though. Any thought on who was in the photos? Oh, and again, Ranger or Chase? I already know who I like and I just want your thoughts. Everything about Rat's Restaurant I got online, I have never been to Jersey and so I wouldn't know first hand. Tell me what you thought. Thanks for reading and reviewing!